The garden tour takes approximately 45 minutes. Groups will form behind the Barraud House on the northwest corner of Francis and Botetourt Street. Visitors will see the Ryland natural garden, the Lewis House garden and orchard, the Orlando Jones circle garden, the George Pitt garden and the parterre garden behind the Prentis House. Garden tours will conclude behind the Russell House.

A block ticket for house admission and the escorted walking tour costs $12. Block tickets permit free transportation from the Visitor Center to the Historic Area.

Single house admission or just the garden tour costs $4. Tickets may be purchased on the lower level of the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center and at the Williamsburg Lodge on Monday and at the homes on Tuesday.

These homes also will be open::

* The Barraud House , northwest corner of Francis and Botetourt Streets. This 18th century house serves as the guest quarters for members of the Raleigh Tavern Society. Philip and Ann Barraud purchased the house in 1786 and enlarged the structure to an 18-room dwelling with a spacious central stair passage.

Archie and Mary Ryland acquired the property in 1924. After Mary Ryland's death in 1983, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation undertook the refurbishing of the house - one of the most elaborate restorations since the Foundation's beginning. Foundation curators and the staff of the Williamsburg Inn Design Studio collaborated on an intricate furnishings plan. Mary Ryland worked with Colonial Williamsburg gardeners to create a wild garden in the manner of colonial revival.

* The Sign of the Rhinoceros , Colonial Street immediately north of the Duke of Gloucester Street, Nancy Milton, occupant. Last opened in 1981. George Pitt purchased the main house, which fronts on the Duke of Gloucester Street, and the accompanying dependencies in the mid-1700s. Pitt advertised his apothecary shop was located at the Sign of the Rhinoceros. A good-sized pink rhinoceros hangs to the right of the shop door - an 18th century manner of advertising to attract customers. The curved shop window that formerly displayed bottles and jars containing Pitt's wares currently houses an assortment of storage containers with Virginia histories, as well as 18th century apothecary-styled bottles. A Hummel nativity scene with more than two dozen pieces is featured in the main room. Numerous 19th century maps and prints are displayed throughout.

* Russell House , north side of Duke of Gloucester Street near the Botecourt intersection, Carolyn J. Weekley, occupant. Last opened in 1987. Russell House is similar to many other small Williamsburg houses, but 18th century builders viewed the use of individual elements of design in ways that lend character to the street scene as a whole. The present resident has creatively furnished the house with heirlooms, unique pieces of American arts and crafts, English pieces and several Williamsburg custom-made pieces.

The quilt and framed quilt squares in the entry hall date from the 19th century. The finely worked, paneled chimney wall is the focal point of the living room. Encased arrowheads and spearheads from the Sierra Nevada and the York River area distinguish the small pantry.

Punched tin panels with folk art designs on cabinet doors and Easter eggs scratched in the Pennsylvania German tradition, all crafted by the home's occupant,are featured in the kitchen.

* Lichtmann Residence, 3005 East Whittaker Close in Governor's Land, Manfred and Emily Lichtman, owners. Open for the first time. Completed in May 1993, this traditional brick residence is entered from wide brick steps lined with welcoming spring blossoms. The two-story foyer is awash with light provided by a well-proportioned Palladian window above the front door.

The marble floor adds to the expansive feeling of the entry area which is accented by an open-well grandfather clock. The dining room is lighted by a Schonbek crystal chandelier. Emily Lichtmann's mother crafted the lovely needlepoint seats for the antique chairs in the hallway leading to the library and master bedroom. At the back of the home, a tiered terrace, perfect for outdoor entertaining, with a brick and wrought iron surrounding wall, overlooks a pond and the Park East Swim Club.

* Stavens Residence , 1925 Miln House Road in Governor's Land, Troy and Theresa Stavens, owners. Open for the first time. This Georgian-style home sits atop a knoll overlooking the 14th green of the Two Rivers Golf Course. The 150-year-old towering white oak which graces the sloping front lawn is affectionately referred to as "The Chairman."